The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has given the Nigerian women 4x100 meters relay team the chance to run at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, citing the withdrawal of some countries from the competition as the reason, according to the Guardian report Tuesday.

In an e-mail to the Athletics Federation of Nigerian (AFN) by IAAF's Paul Hardy, the world athletics body requested confirmation of its willingness to send a women's relay team to the Games, so that the body could adjust its program for the event.

The latest development has brightened Nigeria's chances of winning medals at the Beijing Olympics because the country currently has one of the best women female relay teams in the world.

Nigeria, which was ordinarily expected to pick an automatic slot in the relay event, could not qualify for the Games because the country did participate in adequate championships to earn the points required for qualification for the event.

Only the first 16th ranked teams qualify for the Olympics, and being 18th, Nigeria did not merit a place in the Beijing line-up until two teams withdrew from the race.

Until Monday, Nigeria was only qualified to present teams for two of the four relay spots at the Games - the men 4x100 and women 4x400 meters. No African country is in the top 16 in the women's 4x100 meters, where Nigeria ranks highest in number 18 and Ghana 20th.

If they are able to find their form before the event begins, the Damola Osayomi-led quartet, which includes Francisca Idoko, Gloria Kemasuede and Emem Edem, have the quality to make the relay final.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2008)